Posted by susan C on August 16, 2001, at 16:44:55
In reply to Re: Serotonin vs. Dopamine Deficiency - Symptoms? » Cam W., posted by Mitch on August 16, 2001, at 12:16:44
Cam,
Susan here,I have been trying to decipher some of what you are saying, educating myself as I and my doc try to figure out what is going on with me. He is not convinced I am bipolar 2, and is investigating seizure related cause of mood. Depakote helped some. I have not taken Keppra long enough yet to get anything but side effects.
Other than the observations of my pdoc/neurologist I have yet to talk to anyone here who is/has tried Keppra. I know it is an antiseizure med, used 'off lable' for mood. I have read the paperwork and the references on the web.
I am not a medical professional. I curious if you have an opinion of this chemical in relationship to your readings and observations made in this thread re: my gas station is not causing the price to go up..that made me lol...
Thank you.
-s
> > Buster - I believe that, in most common mental disorders, that a lack (or excess) of a neurotransmitter is only a symptom of the disorder. The monoamine theory of mental illness is inadequate and a broader picture of intracellular signaling dysfunction may need to be addressed. Saying that a lack of dopamine or a lack of serotonin is causing depression is like saying your local gas station is causing the price of gas to go up. In a way, the gas staion and the price of gas are linked are linked, but no "direct" cause/effect is occurring.
> >
> > When we use medications designed to raise serotonin or dopamine, we are only addressing the "effects" of the illness, not getting to the root of the problem. This may be a reason why our current armamentum for fighting mental disorders is inadequate in many cases. I believe that scientists are now seeing that the reductionist view of the monoamine theory is the wrong approach, and possibly (probably?) only a symptom of most disorders.
> >
> > So, to look at neurotransmitter deficiency symptoms, to decide how one needs to be treated, may be a misguided way to approach treatment. Although you may tackle some of the disorder symptoms using the deficiency approach; such an approach may not be the best treatment.
> >
> > My 2¢ - Cam
>
>
> Cam,
>
> What do you think about the "sticky switch" hypothesis (that left and right hemispheres are not "sharing" properly, i.e.) in relation to bipolar disorder (and perhaps others)?
>
> Is the "structure" and "function" of the brain ("geographically") now starting to be studied more than just the neurochemistry? Are there any developments outside the receptor model that are new that would be interesting to share?
>
> Mitch
poster:susan C
thread:74037
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75314.html